MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDER	For God and Country	to  Officers, Members and the Community
William (Bill) Lyles		JAMES E. DAVIS Jr.
POST COMMANDER		Post Adjutant

 MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDER: Comrades, it has been sometime since my last communication. My first year as your Commander of this great organization is ending and I would like for everyone to understand my sincere appreciation. Thank you for your support – to my Staff – and me on all our Legion programs/activities. A lot was accomplished. Let me say at this time that I THANK YOU ALL for having the confidence in me to elect me to this prestigious position for another year. My Staff and I will do our utmost to ensure that Post 509 stays in the forefront of all other County & State organizations. Installation of Post Officers will be May 15, 2004, at 10:00 AM. All participating officers should, if possible, be in Legion dress (blue jacket, gray trousers, white shirt, blue lie, socks & shoes ). Look forward to a superior year of accomplishments. .

MEETINGS: Our meetings are held on the third Saturday of each month, at 10:00AM, at our Post Home, 781 Rancocoas Road, Westampton, New Jersey. We do not meet during the month of August.

ELECTION OF POST OFFICERS: Election of Officers for the year of 2004 - 2005 was held during our regular meeting on April 17, 2004. Officers will be installed at the regular meeting on May 15, 2004. Refreshments will be served. The following Officers were elected or appointed. Commander- William L. Lyles, Senior Vice Commander –Marcia Thibeault, Junior Vice Commander – Antonio Diaz, Adjutant – James E. Davis, Jr., Finance Officer – Samuel D. Hayes, Chaplain – Rev. Mark Stevens, Service Officer – Samuel C. Barner, Historian – John W. Bostick, Judge Advocate – Russell C. Stokes, and Sgt-At-Arms – Edward S. Roberts.

MEMBERSHIP: Due to the hard work of our Membership Chairman, with assistance of other members, our current membership now stands at 193. This is an increase of nine members from last year. Due to the Department increasing the per-capita from $2.50 to $7.00 per member effective October 1, 2003, the Post had no other choice but to increase our dues. At a regular meeting on March 20, 2004, the membership voted to increase our membership dues from $20.00 to $25.00 effective June 2004.AWARDS: The Post recently received a Certificate of Meritorious Service from the National Commander. From the Department Commander, the 2004 Membership Citation For Surpassing our Previous Years Membership, 2004 Distinguished Service Citation For Having Exceeded our Previous Years Membership Continuously for 5 Years, and 2004 Meritorious Service Citation For Having Reached A Membership Greater Than Our All Time High.

LEGISLATION: Solve The VA Funding Crisis – During debate on the House budget, House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ) brokered an agreement to prevent a proposed $25 billion reduction in funding for veterans programs to offset the President’s proposed tax cut. However, in the end, congressional appropriators provided just $26.3 billion for veterans health care for 2004.

FUNDRAISERS: The Post is holding a money raffle with the drawing date of June 18, 2004. In our last raffle held December 19, 2003, the winning number was NJ Pick 3 number 962. Thanks to all who participated. Post T-Shirts are currently on sale for $12.00 each. The color is royal blue with gold lettering. Contact (FO) Hayes, at (609) 261-0163 for size and delivery of T-Shirts). The Post conducted a successful yard sale on April 24, 2004. We are planning our next yard sale for the fall. The Post is currently accepting small items for this next yard sale. Please call Commander Lyles or FO Hayes to arrange drop-off of items. We are still recycling aluminum cans. This has been a success in the past. Cans can be dropped off inside the fence at the Post, or, if you need them picked up, call Finance Officer Hayes at 261-0163. NOTE TO REMEMBER: Aluminum cans only. We cannot take soup cans, cat food cans, vegetable cans, etc.

SCHOLARSHIPS; There are a number of scholarships available for eligible students. There is an American Legion Scholarship, Lutherman Memorial Scholarship, Stutz Memorial Scholarship and many others. For applications, please call Senior Vice Commander Thibeault at 267-317.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH: The Post will sponsor two boys this year to attend Jersey Boys State (June 20 to June 25, 2004) at Rider College in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Other programs we sponsor are a Coloring Contest and Safety Essay Contest in the Westampton school system. For the year 2004, the Coloring Contest 1st place winner was Brianna Manns, 2nd place: Lauren Tumbelty, and 3rd place: Kelvin Pagdum. In the Safety Essay Contest, Alexis Levering won 1st place at Post and County. Honorary Mention went to Alyssa Stokes and Colleen Cormier. This year, we again sponsored an Indoor Soccer Team with the Westampton Recreation Department that placed 3rd in their Division. In addition, we are sponsoring a Little League Baseball team in Mount Holly.

THE LADIES AUXILIARY UNIT is seeking an increase in their membership. To all Ladies who are interested in joining, please call President Anna Jones at 267-4272 or Past President and Membership Chairman Elizabeth Jones at 267-8979.

THE AMERICAN LEGION 86TH STATE CONVENTION will be held at Wildwood, New Jersey from June 10 to June 12 2004. Post members and the Esquire Motorcycle and Van Club members will be staying at the Oceanic Motel, 4600 Ocean Avenue. The Post will be participating in the parade Saturday afternoon June 12, 2004. Plan to come down and join us.

SICK CALL: The following members are recovering from their illness, operation or injury. Julian Cheek is at the VA Nursing Home, Philadelphia, PA, and Frank Donald is at Ancora Hospital. Lee Enders Leonard Durham and Marcia Thibeault are recuperation at home.

NOTIFICATION OF ILLNESS, operation or injury of a member is most important. Whatever your needs are, please have your spouse, family member or friend notify the Commander at (609) 261-4755, or Chaplain at (609)893-4822 or Service Officer at (856) 234-1273.

POST EVERLASTING: During the past year the Supreme Commander of us all, called to everlasting rest Comrades James H. Fischer, Johnnie B. Jones and Chester Hayes.

WHAT ARE OUR MEMBERS DOING? Please let us know your status at this time. Our membership would like to keep up with you.

PLEASE SIGN UP A NEW MEMBER TODAY, NATIONAL GUARD & RESERVE ARE ELIGIBLE.

The National Guardsman / Reservist must have served at lease one day on federal active duty during any delimiting periods, and either have an honorable discharge or currently be serving either in the Guard / Reserve or on Federal active duty.

Please make checks payable to: Westampton American Legion Post 509, And mail to P.O. Box 123, Mount Holly, NJ 08060